THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES’ New Trailer is Very Intense

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MTV is turning into the fantasy genre curve this winter, adapting The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks into the televised take dubbed The Shannara Chronicles. MTV’s take on the epic fantasy wrapped filming over the summer in New Zealand and the latest trailer portrays the series as seriously epic. Part of that is probably due to the New Zealand effect—the country’s sweeping landscape makes even the most mundane stories look grand—but the costumes, magic, and creatures certainly don’t hurt either.

Executive produced by the likes of Jon Favreau and Brooks and starring Poppy Drayton, Austin Butler, Ivana Baquero, Manu Bennett, and John Rhys-Davies, The Shannara Chronicles tells the story of a land on the brink of destruction. A magical tree that protected the land from a demon army has started to die, and it’s up to an adventurous trio of youths—Amberle (Drayton), Wil (Butler), and Eretria (Baquero)—to stop the army from advancing.

Now: I understand the initial reaction to hearing a fantasy series will be airing on MTV. It’s not exactly the first network I think of when I consider a home for this type of story, but based on the footage we’ve seen so far? I’m optimistic. They appear to have the VFX in hand, have the support of the author, and Rhys-Davies was incredibly enthusiastic about the project when I saw him speak at San Diego Comic-Con. All of which is to say I’m looking forward to the premiere.

The Shannara Chronicles will debut in January 2016. Do you plan on tuning in? Also, if you’ve read the books by Brooks, head to the comments and let us know how the trailer stacks up.